16 minute read
ON THE COVER
from September 2022
by Le Journal
constant vigilance
Women around the world are forced to go through life with a heightened sense of caution due to gender-based violence.
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Head down, feigning a scroll through Instagram to keep up
the pretense of “normal girl minding her own business,” she’s actually just keeping her screen lit to dial 9-1-1. Just in case. Muscles tense and occasionally looking over her shoulder, she walks briskly through the dim parking garage.
Normally she’d park on the street, as it’s more public. But there weren’t any spaces when she was originally looking a mere few hours ago. Now the area appears basically empty as she climbs the uphill rows of painted lines.
Each shadow that emerges from between parked cars seems like a hulking figure, crouched in hiding, ready to pounce. Her white airpods shine greenish under the speckled fluorescent lighting, but she isn’t listening to music. She must remain alert.
She clutches her cross-body bag tightly under her arm. In one hand the iron grip on her cell phone remains, in the other she holds her keys with the point facing out like a weapon. Casually she glances between parked cars, just to make sure no one is hiding there ready to burst out and grab her.
Hearing footsteps, she turns her head to see the outline of a shadowy silhouette. She feels her heart rate increase, pounding rapidly in her chest. A flurry of panicked thoughts rush through her mind.
I should have left a little earlier when there was more sunlight. Is this person actually following me or is his car just parked somewhere nearby? Is there anyone close enough to hear me if I screamed? There was definitely a couple eating ice cream that I passed on my way back. Would they come to help me? Would it be too late?
Clutching her cell phone even tighter and ditching the pretense of faking nonchalance, she quickens her pace in the direction of her car, unlocking it remotely only when she is a few steps away. The way she was inadvertently trained to do in order to prevent someone from having enough time to run to the car and get in it before she got there.
ME TOO
Sion students share their experiences of feeling unsafe in public spaces.
“I remember May of 2021 me and my family took a trip down to Florida. While we were there, I think my sister and I got catcalled at least 3 times a day. One time we were just walking to the beach and this big massive truck honked at us and screamed, ‘you look sexy as hell.’ In that moment I felt so weak.” - Charlotte Zender, 10
“Once I was walking and there was this man who kept taking the turns I was taking and following me from a distance. He gradually got closer so I panicked and knocked on the door of a neighbor and they let me in and my parents picked me up.” - Anna Millard, 9
“The gym I go to has a lot of adult men and I have been hit on a lot but it’s just kinda scary because when I say no I get stressed that they might get angry and wait for me outside.” - Sophia Grantham, 11
“One time my friends and I were at Target and the older women came up to us and told us that there were men in the parking lot with walkie talkies looking for girls and that one of them followed us inside.” - Bridget McDaniel, 12
“I was pumping gas around 8 pm coming back from cheer and a man was following me around QuikTrip and proceeded to ask my age. When I told him I was underage he made a snarky comment. When I walked back to my car I had my keychain in my hand and hurried to lock the doors where the guy followed me out but then I lost him.” - Gianna Collins, 11
Arelatable experience? Probably, as 108 of 133 Sion
students responded yes to our poll question: Have you ever felt unsafe in a public place because of your gender? And of those 108, 90% of you claimed to have personal precautions that you perform for safety while in public.
But it’s more than dimly lit parking garages. Women might look for subtle or not-so-subtle ways to protect themselves in crowded sunny parks, busy city streets, at workplaces or schoolyards - even inside homes.
The fact is, violence against women takes place everyday in public and private spaces all around the world. It takes many different forms - catcalling, misogyny, verbal aggression, harassment, domestic or sexual abuse, human trafficking - and spans all racial, educational and economic backgrounds, causing women everywhere to go through life with an omnipresent feeling of fear and heightened sense of caution.
The extensive nature of violence against women indicates that it is not a superificial issue, but rather one that holds deep roots within history and society.
Most communities around the world were built with patriarchal philosophies and social norms that push the notion men are superior to women. Long-standing beliefs of male dominance and female devaluation lie at origins of gender-based violence by affecting power relations and emotional connections.
This problem is intersectional--racial, cultural, and socioeconomic preconceptions and differences within history contribute to violence against minority female communities. Because these issues have such deep roots, their effects are still intensely present within current society.
The two most common forms of violence against women are non-partner sexual violence and intimate partner violence, according to the National Organization for Women. Randomized violence, or non-partner violence, is legally categorized into simple assault, aggravated assault and attempted murder.
Women living in the Americas face the highest rates of nonpartner sexual violence, with 11% of women between the ages of 15-49 having been impacted, according to the World Health Organization. Rape and sexual assault are common forms of nonpartner violence, especially against women.
Sexual violence can also take non-physical forms, including catcalls, suggestive staring and sexual comments about a person’s body or appearance. A 2018 survey by Stop Street Harassment published by NPR found that 77% of women have experienced verbal sexual harassment.
For many women, apprehensive feelings towards public settings are ever-present and the need to map out protective precautions has become routine.
The most common precautions found in our poll included carrying pepper spray, checking underneath and in the backseat of cars before getting in, holding out keys in a stabbing manner and constantly scanning surroundings to stay vigilant.
The second form of violence, intimate partner violence (or IPV), is defined by the World Health Organization as “behavior within an intimate relationship that causes physical, sexual or psychological harm.” The term “intimate partner” can refer to either current or former spouses or dating partners.
IPV can manifest as physical violence, sexual violence, stalking or psychological aggression. More than 1 in 3 women will in the United States will experience rape, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner, according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
Intimate partner violence is classified as a significant public health issue by the CDC, as 35% of female survivors experience some form of IPV related injury.
Intimate partner violence starts at a young age; one in four women first experience IPV prior to the age of 18, according to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. When intimate partner violence occurs in teenagers, it is known as teen dating violence.
The CDC’s 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that in
the 12 months prior to the survey, 1 in 12 teens had experienced physical violence and 1 in 12 teens had experienced sexual violence within a dating relationship. The study found elevated rates among female populations, making statistics like this heavily pertinent to our all-girls student body.
“It was a situation where I was uncomfortable with what the other person wanted me to do, and they didn’t really prioritize my wants or needs, just their own. I was forced into doing something that I didn’t want to do” a student, who wished to remain anonymous, said. “It’s really made me struggle with having trust in people. It has made me nervous for relationships in the future, and made me have higher boundaries. It made me have attachment issues because I was very attached to the person, so it’s weird to be in a situation where you miss someone even though they messed you up.”
Teen girls are particularly vulnerable to abusive relationships due to a lack of experience in romantic partnerships and lower levels of self esteem compared to male populations.
Teenage girls enter into relationships lacking not only prior romantic experience, but also proper education as to what qualifies as an unhealthy relationship and how to recognize signs of abuse.
Most young women also experience issues with self-esteem during their high school years. 78% of high school aged women say that they are unhappy with their bodies by the time they reach 18, according to Psychology Today.
Low views that women might have of their own self-worth, as well as other factors such as extensive attachment, lack of experience or dating knowledge, and affirmation or validation received from a partner, can lead to the formation of unhealthy and abusive relationships.
“As a young woman in a relationship, ignoring red flags such as your friends don’t like the person you’re with, your parents don’t like that person either, you shouldn’t ignore that and say, ‘Oh, they just don’t know him,’’” an anonymous teacher said. “If your friend is coming and saying ‘I don’t like how he treats you, I don’t like how he talks to you,’ that is a huge red flag that should not be ignored.”
Undergoing violence in any setting is a traumatic experience, the damaging effects of which can impact many areas of women’s lives including their physical and mental health, as well as their relationships.
Experiencing violence places women at a higher risk for mental health problems including depression, stress or anxiety disorders, sleep difficulties and eating disorders, according to the World Health Organization.
A 2013 study published by the American Psychological Association also found that experiencing attempted or completed sexual assault typically had negative effects on women’s relationships with intimate partners, friends and their families.
Though these responses are common, every survivor reacts to and processes their experience differently. Fortunately, there are an abundance of resources that are available to women to assist them in coping and working towards healing in the aftermath of violence.
Many women find therapy to be a very valuable resource in helping them to process their experiences with violence. There are many mental health professionals who are trained specifically to help women work through their emotions and create individualized plans for healing in the wake of experiencing sexual assault or domestic violence.
MOCSA is Kansas City-based organization that provides free counseling services to victims of sexual violence to ensure that all survivors have access to mental health treatment regardless of their economic background.
For those who may not yet feel comfortable discussing their experiences face-to-face, there are many hotlines that allow callers to talk to a trained operator. Anti-sexual-violence association RAINN has both an online and telephone option which provide crisis counseling support anonymously from a trained staff member.
There are also habits that women can incorporate into their everyday lives to help in the healing process, according to Good Therapy. Because physical and mental health are directly linked, implementing a daily routine to ensure a proper amount of sleep and nutrition can be beneficial to overall wellness. Many professionals also recommend activities that can serve as an outlet for emotions, such as journalling, exercise or creating art.
“Do not hesitate to reach out because no one is going to judge you,” an anonymous teacher said. “People are here to help.”
stun gun birdie alarm pepper spray stabby kitty
What It Does: Stun guns deliver an electric current upon contact which immobilizes an attacker by momentarily disabling muscle control.
Where To Buy: $9.99 on Amazon *must be 18 to purchase What It Does: The Birdie Alarm has a loud alarm and flasing strobe light designed to deter an attacker and draw the attention of bystanders.
Where To Buy: $29.95 on Amazon What It Does: Pepper spray incapacitates an attacker by causing burning, pain and tears when it comes into contact with the person’s eyes.
Where To Buy: $9.99 on Amazon *must be 18 to purchase What It Does: Cat self-defense keychains are worn on fingers in a similar manner to brass knuckes and are used to sharpen a punch.
Where To Buy: $19.90 on Amazon
A&E.. In Summer
A break down of all the things in style in summer 2022.
BY ELLE SIMON WEB EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
top gun maverick
When you bought your ticket for “Top Gun: Maverick” you could practically hear the rocker theme song pumping you up before you got to your seat, even 36 years after the original release. The long awaited sequel soared into theaters and became the movie of the summer. The story follows Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise) as he sets out to teach the next generation of Top Gun graduates for an upcoming mission, including the son of his late best friend. Miles Teller plays Rooster, both a clever nod to his father’s call sign and a note on his personality.
lululemon’s scuba hoodie and belt bag
This (hopeful) future Lululemon employee would be eternally grateful if the Lululemon Scuba Half-Zip Hoodie on her Christmas list would be gifted to her. It’s the perfect lightweight jacket to throw on over the sonic pink workout set (that I don’t own either). But, the Everywhere Belt Bag is one of my personal favorites. I know it looks small but, let me tell you, it’s roomy; the fashionable fanny pack holds all my essentials on my hot girl walks.
hot girl walks
Airpods in, playlist blasting, Belt Bag on, and dogs tugging my arm off. Like many others, Hot Girl Walks have become one of my favorite ways to move my body. It’s a great way to get some fresh air and experience my neighborhood. Invite your friends and get a two for one bonus: a chitchat and great exercise. Or spend some quality time with your pups, and give them a nice long walk.
BEREAL
When that two minute warning pops up, you know it’s BeReal time. This new form of social media took over the internet this summer. It encouraged users to “be real” and post a picture of whatever they are doing at that exact moment. BeReal contradicts traditional social media’s value of sharing the picture perfect parts of life. BeReal is a fun and unconventional way of sharing your daily life.
oh, the horror
Students anonymously submitted their summer job horror stories.
I’m a server/host, and one time this man ordered a green curry and pad Thai online. Someone accidentally gave him yellow curry, and he called back and started yelling at me that someone in his family was gonna go hungry that night. He came back to the restaurant and we had to give him the green and yellow curry for free. I still work there, so not really a horror story, but I was chased into work at six in the morning by a lady at the bus stop. I have also been bit and attacked multiple times by dogs.
I watched some kid’s dad tell him to pee in the pool. Then the kid and his two siblings proceeded to sprint around the pool deck, even after we told them to stop like 50 times.
going coastal
The coastal granddaughter aesthetic took over as the style of the summer, popularized on TikTok by fashion creator Matilda Djerf. Characterized by knit sweaters, blue striped polo shirts and flowy maxi dresses, this style finds its origins in summers spent in Cape Cod or the Hamptons. It pulls inspiration from the put together, classy grandmother with a massive coastal home and blue and white dishware in her kitchen. harry’s House
Oh Harry Styles, I can’t ever get you off my mind! Literally. The songs from Styles’ third studio album, “Harry’s House,” play through my mind on constant repeat. The phenomenal album was crafted during the 2020 lock down, and finished right before the start of the long awaited Love on Tour in the US; can you imagine how much I would have freaked out if I knew that there was an album sitting on a hard drive while I was having the time of my life at LOT St. Paul.
elvis
“If you’re looking for trouble, you came to the right place.” Director Baz Luhurmann’s Elvis Presley biopic was another highly anticipated film. Telling the story of Presley’s life through the perspective of his manager Tom Parker (Tom Hanks), the scenes cut back and forth through time, which made it difficult for some viewers to follow. Despite this artistic choice, Austin Butler shines as Elvis, delivering a stellar performance as the “King of Rock N’ Roll.”
